Nard, Downs and Nero make KJCCC All-Conference team

Tamara Nard, Camille Downs and RaVon Nero all land on the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference All-Conference list announced by the commissioner early this week.

Nard and Downs were selected as All-KJCCC First Team members while RaVon Nero was selected as All-KJCCC Second Team.

Tamara Nard, freshman center from Chicago, IL, finished the season averaging 16.2 points per game, leading the Grizzlies in scoring. She shot 58.1% from the floor on the season while grabbing 6.5 rebounds per game. She had a career high 33 points late in the season on the road against Neosho. Nard posted 20+ points in a game on ten separate occasions.

"I am so proud of T (Tamara) and all she has accomplished this season," said head coach Mike Helmer. "If she puts her mind to something, she can do it and I am really looking forward to watching her continue to grow and mature as a player."

Camille Downs, sophomore guard from Fredricksburg, VA, brought sophomore leadership and championship game experience to the team this season. Whenever a big shot or play needed to happen, Downs was always involved. Downs was third on the team in scoring averaging 12.0 points per game but led the team in rebounding with 6.7 per game. She also averaged a team high 3.2 assists per game. Downs was second in the KJCCC in steals this season with 102, an average of 3.1 per game.

"Camille helped us win conference and Region VI a year ago, and she did it again this season," mentioned Helmer. "She is a special player who can make special plays and came up big for us a lot this season."

RaVon Nero, sophomore transfer guard from Edmond, OK, was a steady backcourt presence for Butler and a big game scorer. Nero was second for the Grizzlies in scoring with an average of 14.6 points per game. Nero led the team in minutes played per game averaging 28.2 minutes played per game. She finished second in the KJCCC in Free throws made at 129-162, 79.7%. Nero was fifth in the KJCCC in total points scored at 482 and was ninth in steals with 63 on the year.

"RaVon was a warrior for us especially late this season," said Helmer. "She had to switch to the point guard position before the Region VI tournament and played her role very well. The timing of it was rough but RaVon accepted it and made the most of the opportuntiy and scored a game high 27 points in the Region VI Championship game for us."

Among the All-KJCCC selections, Tamara Nard was also voted as the KJCCC East 'Freshman of the Year' and head coach Mike Helmer picked up 'Co-Coach of the Year' honors in the Eastern conference for his second straight season.